REVIEW: BRITISH & IRISH BANKNOTES: 14 MARCH

A very rare £100 note from the Birmingham branch of the Bank of England, dated May 1894, sold for £38,000 in this sale. 

Signed by Horace G. Bowen, who was Chief Cashier from 1893-1902, it was one of only two surviving Bowen notes above £5 issued anywhere other than London. It had been estimated at £24,000-30,000.

 

Andrew Pattison, Head of Banknotes at Noonans, said: “It is just such a rare note, with the magic combination of Bowen signature, £100 denomination, and Birmingham issue location, and the condition was wonderful. It sold to a passionate collector of rare UK notes who is delighted with his purchase.”

Other highlights included a rare – possibly unique – £500 note dating from October 1929 estimated at £22,000-28,000. It was the only known surviving £500 note signed by Basil G Catterns, who was Chief Cashier from 1929-1934 and sold for £36,000.

A very rare £5 note from the Bank of England branch in Bristol dating from June 1850 sold for a hammer price of £19,000. It was signed by Matthew Marshall, who was Chief Cashier from 1835-64, and stamped issued by Tugwell, Clutterbuck and Ricardo, who were a local bank in Bath.